What Is a Career Break? Meaning and Benefits

A career break, also known as a sabbatical, is a voluntary time off from work that is taken to focus on personal growth, travel, studies, or any other personal interests that usually cannot be accommodated with one’s job responsibilities. Unlike a normal vacation which is usually short – a few days to a few weeks – a career break can be longer, lasting from a few months to several years. Also, a career break is not just about leisure; it is a deliberate pause for growth and exploration.

Organizations have different policies on career breaks, and some can be unpaid leave, while others do not have formal procedures established. It is very important to read these policies before making your leave plan to get a clear picture of the specific circumstances.

How to Approach Taking a Career Break?

Deciding to take a career break is a big life decision that needs to be carefully assessed and strategically planned. Here’s how to approach it:

1. Clear Objectives: Decide what you would like to attain during your break. Whether you wish to continue your education, volunteer, travel, or focus on personal growth, having a clear idea about what you want to do will help you to make your choices and decisions.
2. Financial Planning: Analyze your financial condition carefully and thoroughly. Determine how many months you could be out of the job without a salary, taking into account any expenses that you may incur during your break. Come up with a savings plan, if needed, for the entire period of your time off from work.
3. Discuss with Employers: Let your employer know your goals as early as possible. Figure out if there is a policy of ‘break off‘ in your company, and consider the effect of this policy on your role. Some organizations can offer an unpaid leave of absence, while other organizations necessitate an official resignation.
4. Professional Considerations: Think about the career path that you could have. Imagine the skills you might acquire during the break that could be of use in your profession, and how you would handle the gap in your resume with future employers.
5. Develop a Timeline: Formulate a timeline for your break, from the preparation period to the career break itself and the return to work. Establishing a planned ending will help you utilize the time properly and keep you from getting overstretched.
6. Plan the Return: Never let the idea of returning to work go out of your mind. Make sure that your professional network stays active, keep up with any industry developments, and have a plan for job searching once you come back.

    

Benefits of a Career Break

The break from career can be very positive in many ways, both personally and professionally. It can lead to

1. Enhanced Quality of Life: A break may be the best way to decrease stress, improve mental health and overall well-being, and enhance the quality of life.
2. Skill Development: The time out of work may be used to obtain new skills or qualifications that may help you to stand out in your career path.
3. New Perspectives: Working hours can be very exhausting and you may not have enough energy to think creatively, so leaving the workplace and going on a break can give you a fresh perspective, fill your mind with new creativity, and inspire new ideas.
4. Increased Productivity: Adequate sleep and personal satisfaction, which many people experience when they get back to work, are the main factors that determine their productivity.
5. Diverse Experiences: Traveling, studying, or volunteering can be great ways to open your mind and build soft skills such as adaptability and problem-solving that will be very useful in any career you choose.
6. Personal Growth: A career break can offer a chance for significant personal development, which will, in turn, increase self-awareness and shape personal and professional goals.

    

Reasons for taking a career break

Taking a career break is a very personal choice and people’s reasons for doing so may differ as much as the people themselves who make this decision. Here are some common reasons people opt for a career break:

1. Professional Burnout: Intense, prolonged periods of work without sufficient rest can lead to burnout, a state of chronic stress that negatively impacts mental and physical health. A career break can serve as a reset button, allowing time for recovery and reflection.
2. Pursuing Further Education: Individuals may choose to pause their careers to return to school for additional qualifications, degrees, or certifications that could help advance their professional lives.
3. Change of Career Path: Others plan for career breaks to reconsider their career path. It might be spent learning about new industries, getting the required qualifications, or continuing to build experience through internships or volunteering.
4. Travel and Cultural Exploration: Many individuals prefer to travel during their sabbaticals to be exposed to different cultures, learn languages, and gain a deeper understanding of the world. Such experiences can be beneficial on individual levels as well as at work.
5. Family Commitments: Careers can be interrupted when one has to take care of family members, children, or a spouse who may need to move to different locations for work.
6. Health Reasons: An employee may have to take a prolonged leave from work because they need to manage their health or a medical condition. This also means giving mental health breaks for personal happiness.
7. To Fulfill Personal Goals or Passions: A sabbatical can be used to fulfil personal goals or passions that require full-time dedication, for example writing a book, volunteering in a charity, or investing a lot of time in a hobby or craft.
8. Need for Personal Growth: The time spent away from work can offer the peace of mind needed for self-discovery and self-development. It gives them a chance to shift their attention to their values, revise their life objectives, and rejoin their job with a new-found purpose.
9. Entrepreneurial Ventures: A career break could be the first step to building up a business as it provides an entrepreneur with time to develop a business plan, do market research, and build a strong foundation for the business.
10. Sabbatical Programs: Some companies have sabbatical programs that are structured in a way, that gives their employees a break from work with the certainty of returning to work after the break. Such programs are usually considered a positive factor and are an effective means of retaining high-calibre employees.

Understanding the reasons behind the desire for a career break is essential, as it helps to structure the time off and set clear goals for what you wish to achieve during this period. A well-planned career break can be an enriching experience, leading to professional and personal development that positively impacts one’s career trajectory upon return.